Can a woman get pregnant with a man who had a vasectomy

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that cuts or blocks the vas deferens, the two tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. The procedure stops sperm from getting into the semen in order to prevent pregnancy. After a vasectomy, an individual can still ejaculate and produce sperm, but the body reabsorbs the sperm, and it never reaches the semen. A vasectomy is a very effective form of male birth control , but is it still possible for a partner to get pregnant?

SEE VIDEO BY TOPIC: Dr. Peter Schlegel - Can Men Father Children After Vasectomy?

SEE VIDEO BY TOPIC: Mayo Clinic Minute: Why a vasectomy is a great option for birth control

Pregnancy After Vasectomy: is it possible?

Vasectomies are a widely used method of contraception today. The failure rate is extremely low such that they are a very dependable way of avoiding unwanted pregnancy. Sometimes a man who thought his family was complete may change his mind and want to have more children after a vasectomy has been performed.

There are a couple of ways of resolving this dilemma. To be able to have children after a vasectomy you can undergo a vasectomy reversal or try In vitro fertilization IVF and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection ICIS using aspirated sperm.

The traditional approach has been to carry out a second surgical procedure wherein the severed vas deferens the tubes within the scrotal sac which carries sperm from the testicles to the outside world is sewn back together.

This is a microsurgical procedure which is actually far more technically involved and complicated than the original vasectomy where a piece of the vas was burned, removed or clipped. The procedure will typically take a couple of hours to perform and is done by urologists with who have undergone specialized microsurgical training. Unfortunately, these results are not always the case and the actual patency rate i.

The other complicating factor with surgical repair is the prevalence of anti-sperm antibodies. These antibodies will prevent normal sperm function if they are present. They are found increasingly frequently the longer it has been since the original vasectomy was performed. Most researchers agree that they are rarely found within 5 years from the original vasectomy and are almost always present more than 10 years from the original procedure. In these latter cases, even if the vasectomy reversal procedure is technically successful, the sperm will not be normally functional therefore the surgery probably will not lead to successful conception.

It may take a few months to see sperm within the ejaculate following a reversal procedure and unfortunately in some cases despite sperm being present initially post-operatively, there is progressive scarring which leads to re-closure of the vas. We've always been able to aspirate sperm using a fine gauge needle directly from the testicles. Under local anesthesia, it is quite realistic to pass a needle directly through the scrotum into the testicle itself or the epididymis the network of tubules adjacent to the testicle where sperm finish their maturation process and are stored prior to ejaculation and aspirate sperm.

The limiting factor has always been that we can only retrieve thousands of sperm in this fashion and we need tens of millions for intercourse to establish pregnancy or millions for inseminations to do so. Since we may typically get eggs during an IVF cycle, we'd only need sperm for success. Therefore the sperm aspirated in this fashion are more than enough for multiple attempts.

Success rates do not depend On how much damage was caused by the original vasectomy. Also because IVF is being done, female fertility problems such as tubal issues, endometriosis, ovulation problems and so on are all automatically being bypassed. Lastly this approach is far more efficient in that the whole process from beginning of testing to starting obstetrical care could certainly be carried out in a month time frame whereas the surgery itself may be carried out a month or so after testing, it may require months to see normal sperm in the ejaculate and the couple may then have to try for several months before conceiving.

For more information about conception after a vasectomy, and to schedule an appointment with Dr. Have Fertility Questions? A completely personalized response is guaranteed. Ask an Expert now! Having a Baby after a Vasectomy.

How to get pregnant after a Vasectomy To be able to have children after a vasectomy you can undergo a vasectomy reversal or try In vitro fertilization IVF and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection ICIS using aspirated sperm. Vasectomy Reversal The traditional approach has been to carry out a second surgical procedure wherein the severed vas deferens the tubes within the scrotal sac which carries sperm from the testicles to the outside world is sewn back together.

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Can pregnancy occur after a vasectomy?

Do you want to get pregnant yet your male partner has had a vasectomy? Perhaps he should consider a vasectomy reversal. What is a vasectomy?

Vasectomies are a widely used method of contraception today. The failure rate is extremely low such that they are a very dependable way of avoiding unwanted pregnancy.

During vasectomy consultations, I hear a number of concerns from men. Often, they want to know if the procedure is reliable. Many share stories of couples they know who got pregnant despite a vasectomy. A vasectomy is a very effective and permanent form of birth control.

Pregnancy After a Vasectomy – Is it Possible?

Vasectomy is currently one of the most common methods of sterilization in the United States. After your vasectomy, if you change your mind about having children, there are two procedures that can help you have a child with your partner. The two options are: a vasectomy reversal or sperm aspiration prior to in vitro fertilization IVF. Your doctor can help you choose which procedure is better for you and your partner based on:. The first thing to do is see a urologist. Your urologist will take your medical history and do a physical examination to make sure you have no other health issues that would affect your fertility. Your partner should also see her doctor to make sure she has no fertility issues. There are two types of vasectomy reversal procedures. The procedure used depends on the area of the male reproductive tract that was blocked during your original vasectomy procedure. Your doctor will decide which procedure is better for you during the operation.

Having a Baby after a Vasectomy

A vasectomy is one of the most effective ways to prevent a pregnancy; it is basically a permanent birth control solution for men. Find out! A vasectomy is a surgical intervention that involves tying off the reproductive tubes of a man. In other words, the vas deferens are tied off and severed, thus hampering the sperm from reaching the egg.

Every man who has undergone a vasectomy in the UK is sure to have thought seriously about the decision, and to have been advised by his NHS or another medical practitioner that the procedure should be considered permanent. But the fact is that lives change, circumstances change, and a new social or personal dynamic can lead to a change of heart.

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Fertility Options After Vasectomy

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SEE VIDEO BY TOPIC: What is a Vasectomy?

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Vasectomy is currently one of the most common methods of sterilization in the United there are two procedures that can help you have a child with your partner. How quickly you want to conceive a child, either naturally or through IVF procedure for the female partner, and the procedure may have to be repeated if you.